File apparatus having movable racks as supports for binders

ABSTRACT

Apparatus having parallel tracks between which racks supporting looseleaf binders are suspended by rollers movable along the tracks. The rack is tubular and has an open ended channel in which a T-bar is disposed. A plate stem depending from the T-bar through a slot lengthwise of the bottom of the rack carries a binder. The T-bar is slidably inserted or removed through an end of the channel as a unit with the binder. A nameplate clipped to an end of the rack identifies the contents of the binder. A cutaway at each end of the rack allows easy insertion or removal of the T-bar. The apparatus may be formed to carry tracks extending in a longitudinal as well as in a lateral direction, permitting selective use of either set of tracks to support the racks. The apparatus may also be formed of groups of posts supporting tracks at various levels between them. The latter construction is extensible to include additional levels of tracks; and is of a knockdown nature permitting ready assembly or disassembly of its component parts.

0 United States Patent [72] Inventor Frank Potter 3,389,807 6/1968Manning 211/162 X 97 Birchwood Park Drive, Synsset, NY. 3,468,509 9/1969Foltz 0. 2l l/l 62 X 11791 Pnmary Examiner Nile C. Byers, Jr.Att0meyNicholas J. Garofalo 9 [45] Patented Aug. 24, 1971 ABSTRACT:Apparatus having parallel tracks between which racks supportinglooseleaf binders are suspended by rollers [54] MOVABLE RACKS As movablealong the tracks. The rack is tubular and has an open 6 Cl I 11 D i atended channel in which a T-bar is disposed. A plate stem depending fromthe T-bar through a slot lengthwise of the hot- [52] US. Cl. 211/162,tom of the rack carries a binder. The T-bar is slidably inserted 312/321or removed through an end of the channel as a unit with the [5]] Int.Cl. A47f 5/00 binder. A nameplate clipped to an end of the rackidentifies [50] Field of Search 211/162, the contents of the binder. Acutawa at each end of the rack Y 94, 94.5; 312/321, 350 allows easyinsertion or removal of the T-bar. The apparatus may be formed to carrytracks extending in a longitudinal as [56] CM well as in a lateraldirection, permitting selective use of either UNITED STATES PATENTS setof tracks to support the racks. The apparatus may also be 2,350,7546/1944 Guichard 211/162 formed of groups of Posts supporting tracks atvarious levels 0 97 949 Myem 211 1 2 x between them. The latterconstruction is extensible to include 12 0 7 1 1957 Gussack 0 211/94 Xadditional levels of tracks; and is of a knockdown nature per- 2,851,167911958 Rosenberg 21 1/162 x mining ready assembly or disassembly of itscomponent p I I 8 l 7 1 W W 1 I 01 Z PATENiEnAuszwn 350L257 sum 1 BF 2INVENTOR FRANK POTTER "may 9 .kqwu

ATTORN EY FILE APPARATUS HAVING MOVABLE RACKS AS SUPPORTS FOR BINDElRSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to file apparatushaving movable racks upon away data clips; such as loose-leaf books maybe supported and from which the binders may be readily removed free ofthe apparatus for examination.

The general objective of the invention is to provide file apparatus inwhich one or more pairs of horizontal tracks are arranged, between whichone or more separable racks are supported for selective movement alongthe tracks to selected positions, in each of which racks a slide memberis removably inserted, and to which slide member a binder is separablyattachable.

Another object of this invention is to provide file apparatus havingpairs of tracks extending both in longitudinal and lateral directions inwhich binder carrying racks may be selectively supported for movement ineither direction.

Another object is to provide file apparatus having pairs of tracks atmultiple levels, and which is extensible so as to include additionalpair s of tracks, whereby a large number of the racks may be supportedin a limited area.

Another object is to provide file apparatus for such racks which is of aknock-down nature.

A feature of the invention lies in the nature of the racks and in theirseparable relation to the tracks.

A further feature lies in the nature of the slide member. This is in theform of a T-bar which is slidable in a channel of the rack and has adepending plate stem upon which a binder is detachably mountable.

Another feature lies in cutaway portions at opposite ends of the rackwhich enable the T-bar to be readily inserted or removed from the rack.

A further feature lies in a spring clip which is mountable to either endof the rack and provides a nameplate to identify the contents of thebinder carried by the rack; and

A still further feature lies in the nature of the apparatus whichprovides the tracks for supporting the racks.

In accordance with the invention there is provided in file apparatushaving a pair of parallel spaced tracks in a horizontal plane, a rackextending at right angles to the tracks having track engaging meansdisposed in the tracks, the track engaging means being selectivelymovable along the tracks so as to carry the rack with it, the rackhaving a channel extending lengthwise thereof and opening by means of alongitudinally extending slot through a bottom of the rack, and aT-element having a crosspiece movable in the channel of the rack andhaving a stem depending loosely through slot below the rack, the stembeing adapted to support a binder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in end elevation of a file apparatus embodying theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarge section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail in perspective of one end of the rack;the opposite end is the same;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan of the rack;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the T-bar;

FIG. 6 is a detail showing in side elevation the indicia clip mounted toan end of the rack;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the outer face of the clip;

FIG. 8 is a top plan with a portion broken away of a modified form ofthe apparatus showing tracks extending both longitudinally andlaterally;

FIG. 9 is a top plan of a further form of the apparatus providing tracksfor the racks;

FIG. 10 is a section taken on line 10l0 of FIG. 9 and shows channeltrack members added in extension of FIG. 9;

and

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of one of the posts in the FIG. 9construction; the opposite side of the post is the same.

2 DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is directed to theseveral FIGS. of the drawing and now, especially to FIGS. 1-7 wherein isshown a file cabinet or apparatus 1, having a rectangular top 2 fromwhich depends a pair of opposed sidewalls 3. The apparatus is supportedupon a floor surface by means comer legs 2a one being shown. Thesidewalls 3 are offset inwardly and upwardly along their bottom edges todefine a pair of opposed parallel tracks 4. Each track is definedbetween an outer wall represented by one of the sidewalls 3, and by aninner shorter wall represented by an opposed upwardly extending lip 5.The lip is spaced from the outer wall by means of a connecting bottomwall 10. A transversely extending horizontal rack 6 is sup ported insuspended relation to the tracks by means of a pair of rollers 7 engagedin the tracks. The rollers are rollable along the tracks to carry therack to any selected position. The rack is of tubular construction andis squared in cross section. It carries a separable T-bar element 8having a plate stem 9 upon which a loose-leaf binder 11 is removablyanchored. The stem 9 depends loosely through a slot 12 extending thelength of the bottom side of the rack; and the crosspiece 13 of the T-bar is disposed in an open-ended channel 14 of the rack upon a pair ofshoulders 15 defined by the slot. The T-bar is slidably insertable intothe channel through an open end 16 of the latter so as to carry thebinder with it into the apparatus. Lugs 17 depending from the undersideof the shoulders 15 of the rack serve as 157 stop which is cooperablewith a transverse pin 18 in the stem 9 to limit the extent to which thebinder may be carried by the T-bar into the apparatus. The T-bar andbinder may be readily removed as a unit from the apparatus by slidablywithdrawing the T-bar through the open end 16 of the rack.

The stem 9 of the T-bar is inserted part way between the leaves of thebinder, and is detachably retained to the latter by means of a pair ofremovable fasteners, such as pins 19. These extend through holes 21 inthe stern and through registering holes in the binder.

The channel 14 of the rack is squared in cross section. It has sidewalls 22, a top wall 23, and a bottom defined by the shoulder 15. Aportion of the rack, as at 24, is cut away adjacent its open end 16.This has a desirable advantage in that it serves to facilitate insertionof the T-bar into the channel. To insert the T-bar, an end of itscrosspiece is lowered into the eutaway 24 upon the exposed portions ofthe shoulders 15 with the leading edge of the stem 9 positioned in theslot 12. The crosspiece is then slid rearwardly into the channel untilthe stop pin 18 abuts the lugs 17. This cutaway construction 24 avoidsthe annoyance that would otherwise attend insertion of the T-bar intothe channel by fishing" it through what would otherwise be a smallopening at the end of the channel. It is to be noted that the stem 9 ofthe T-bar projects a short distance above the spine of the binder. Thisdesirable arrangement not only further facilitates the insertion of theT-bar into the channel of the rack with the binder attached, but alsoprovides a desirable clearance between the underside of the rack and thebinder.

It is also noted that the cutaway 25 is repeated at the opposite end ofthe rack. This construction enables the tlbar to be inserted through, orremoved from either end of the rack. When it is desired to utilizeeither end of the rack for insertion or removal of the T-bar, the stoppin 18 is removed from the stern plate 9 to avoid its engagement withthe stop lugs 17.

Each of the racks rollers 7 is rotatably mounted upon a separate pin 25projecting from the outer face of a separate lug 26 offset upwardly fromthe top wall of the rack. Each roller is confined for rolling movementin its track between the sidewall 3 and the lip 5. Each roller iselevated by means of the related lug 26 above the top surface of therack a sufficient distance to provide a clearance 27 between the rackand the underside of the track. This clearance is greater than thevertical dimension of the track lip 5. The clearance enables the rack tobe elevated without interference so as to carry its rollers above andclear of the lips 5 when removing the rack from, or assembling the rackinto the tracks. To assemble a rack with its rollers into the tracks,the rack is first positioned below and askew or at a slight angle to thetracks. The rack is then raised to carry its rollers above the tracklips 5; nest, it is positioned at right angles to the tracks and loweredto seat the rollers in the tracks. This process is reversed whenremoving the rack from the tracks. The rollers of the rack may also beentered into the tracks through either of the open ends of the tracks,except when these open ends might be blocked by end panels, not shown,of the apparatus. ONly one rack 6 has been shown for convenience ofillustration. The tracks are designed in length to accommodate aplurality of racks 6.

So as to identify the contents of a binder carried by a rack, an indiciaelement 28 in the form of a spring clip is detachably mountable to therack. It has an upright bar body laminated from spring material having apair of spring fingers 29 and 31 projecting rearwardly and tensioned oneupon the other. The fingers are designed to be clipped over an end ofthe top wall of the rack so as to hold the body of the clip upright, asi FIG. 6. A suitable identifying label is provided on the outer face ofthe body of the clip, as indicated in FIG. 7.

The cabinet or apparatus 1 may take various forms. FIG. 8 illustrates aform of the apparatus in which roller tracks 4a are provided along thelongitudinally extending sidewalls 3a and also, as at 4b along thelaterally extending end walls 3b of the apparatus. In this arrangementthe racks 6 may be selectively supported by the tracks 4a for rollingmovement lengthwise of the apparatus; or by the tracks 4b for rollingmovement laterally of the apparatus. It is understood that when one setof tracks in this arrangement are being occupied by the racks, that theother set of tracks will lie vacant. It is also understood that racks ofa shorter length will be used when the longitudinally extending tracksare used. Corner legs for supporting the apparatus upon a floor surfaceare indicated at 33.

In FIGS. 9-11 is shown a further form which the apparatus for supportingthe tracks may take. This form is of a knockdown and extensible nature.It includes a unit 34 having a group of channel track members 35 spacedat different levels above one another and supported at their endsbetween a first pair of upright posts 36. The unit includes a secondgroup of channel track members 350 in opposed parallel spaced relationto the first group at corresponding levels and supported at their endsbetween a second pair of upright posts 36a. The several posts andchannel members are of similar construction. Each post is tubular, andis rectangular in cross section. The lower end of the several postsserve as legs for supporting the unit upon a floor surface. Each posthas a series of slots 37 in its sidewalls 38 and 3811 at differentlevels. Each channel track member has a back wall 39 spaced by aconnecting bottom wall 41 from a parallel upright lip or inner wall 42,whereby a roller track 43 is defined between the lip and the backwall.Each channel track member has a tongue 44 at each end which is incontinuation of its backwall 39. Each tongue is slidably received in aseparate slot 37 ofa related post, and is removably fixed to thebackwall 40 of the post by means of a fastener, such as a screw 45. Whenthe tongues at opposite ends of a channel track member are received inthe slots 37 of the related posts, the terminal ends 46 and 47respectively of the bottom wall 41 and the lip 42 abut the innersidewalls 38 of the related posts. Braces 48 removably fastened as byscrews to the outer side faces 38a of the posts fix the opposed groupsof channel track members in parallel spaced relation.

In this structure a separate pair of tracks is provided by the opposedchannel track members at each level. Each pair of tracks is adapted tosupport for rolling movement the roller elements of a separate group ofthe racks 6. This form of the apparatus has various advantages,especially where floor space is at a minimum. It provides tracks atmultiple levels, whereby a large number of the racks 6 may beaccommodated. The vertical spacing between each level of tracks isdesigned to freely accommodate the usual binders ll that would besupported by the racks.

IT is understood that the height of the posts 36, 36a may be increasedso as to include enough slots 37 to accommodate as many levels of tracksas may be desired. It is also understood that in the construction of theposts that the number of slots 37 and the spacing between them may bevaried, so that the levels of the tracks may be selected prior toassembly of the structure to accommodate binders having various verticaldimensions.

It is also apparent, since the slots 37 are formed in both of thesidewalls 38 and 38a of the posts, that the apparatus may be selectivelyextended in opposite directions by the addition of further channel trackmembers and further posts. Fragmentary portion of channel track membersadded in extension of the apparatus are shown at 35b in FIG. 10. Thebackwalls 40 of the posts are of adequate dimension to accommodate thetongues 44 of oppositely extending channel track members receivedthrough opposed slots in the sidewalls of the posts.

A further advantage of this extensible form of the apparatus is that theentire apparatus may be readily disassembled into its component partsfor transportation or subsequent reassembly. This can be done by simplyremoving the several screws securing the channel track members and thebraces to the several posts, and then slipping the channel track membersfree of the posts.

Iclaim:

l. A rolling rack supporting structure comprising a first pair of spacedparallel posts, a second pair of spaced parallel posts disposed inparallel opposed spaced relation to the first pair, brace meansmaintaining the two pairs of posts in said opposed spaced relation, afirst channel member removably anchored at opposite ends between thefirst pair of posts at a selected level, and a second channel memberremovably anchored at opposite ends between the second pair of posts ata level corresponding to that of the first channel member, the twochannel members defining a pair of parallel tracks adapted for receptionof end rollers ofa rolling track; wherein the posts are of tubularconstruction each having a back wall and adjacent sidewalls, the sidewalls having a series of slots spaced along their length, the firstchannel member having a tongue projecting from each end slidably fittedin a slot at a selected level in a sidewall of the corresponding post,fastener means fixing each tongue to the backwall of the related post,and the second channel member having a tongue at each end similarlyreceived and fixed in a slot at a corresponding level in a sidewall ofthe corresponding post.

2. File apparatus comprising a rectangular panel defining a horizontalcover for the apparatus; legs supporting the cover in an elevated plane;a pair of horizontal tracks suspended in parallel spaced relation toeach other from the panel; each track being defined by an outer sidewalldepending from the panel, a relatively narrow bottom wall extendinginwardly from the sidewall, and a lip extending upwardly from the bottomwall in parallel spaced relation to the sidewall; a tubular rack squarein cross section extending transversely and at a distance below thetracks; a pair of parallel uprights; each upright being mounted atop anopposite end area of the rack and carrying a roller at its upper endengaged in a separate one of the tracks; the rollers being rollablealong the tracks so as to carry the rack in suspended relation with themto selectable positions; the tracks being open at corresponding endsthrough which open ends the rollers are exitable from the tracks; thepanel being spaced above the lip portions of the tracks a distancegreater than the diameter of the rollers so as to enable the rollers tobe raised clear of the lip portions and free of the tracks; the rackhaving a longitudinal slot extending lengthwise of a bottom wallthereof; a T-member having a crosspiece slidably received in the rackthrough an open end thereof and having a plate depending loosely throughthe slot adapted for supporting work data; and the tracks being adaptedto carry a plurality of such racks.

3. File apparatus as in claim 2, characterized in that a top wall of therack projects at opposite ends beyond the sidewalls of the tracks, to atleast one end of which top wall an identification support is detachablymounted, the support being movable with the rack as a unit.

4. File apparatus as in claim 3, characterized in that the support is aclip having an external visible surface adapted for carrying dataidentifying the associated rack.

5. File apparatus as in claim 3, characterized in that the rack is openat opposite ends, the bottom wall and sidewalls of the rack extendbeyond opposite ends of the top wall of the rack so as to define a welladjacent each open end of the rack, the extended bottom wall of eachwell serving as a support upon which the crosspiece of the T-member maybe rested preparatory to entering the T-member into the rack through aselected open end thereof, and the extended side walls serving as aguide to such entry.

6. A rolling rack for supporting data material, comprising a tubularmember of square cross section having at least one open end and having aslot extending centrally and lengthwise of a bottom wall thereof, rollermeans supported at opposite end areas of the tubular member in elevatedrelation to the upper surface of a top wall of the tubular member, theroller means being adapted for rolling engagement in a pair of overheadtracks and for suspending the tubular member in a horizontal plane fromthe tracks, a T-bar received in the tubular member having a crosspiecesupported upon the interior surface of the bottom wall for longitudinalslidable movement in the tubular member and having a stern plate looselydepending through'the slot adapted for supporting data material;characterized in that the bottom wall and sidewalls of the tubularmember extend beyond its top wall so as to define a well adjacent theopen end, the extended bottom wall providing a support upon which thecrosspiece of the T-bar may be rested preparatory to entering the T-barinto the open end of the tubular member, and the extended sidewallsserving as a guide to such entry.

1. A rolling rack supporting structure comprising a first pair of spacedparallel posts, a second pair of spaced parallel posts disposed inparallel opposed spaced relation to the first pair, brace meansmaintaining the two pairs of posts in said opposed spaced relation, afirst channel member removably anchored at opposite ends between thefirst pair of posts at a selected leVel, and a second channel memberremovably anchored at opposite ends between the second pair of posts ata level corresponding to that of the first channel member, the twochannel members defining a pair of parallel tracks adapted for receptionof end rollers of a rolling track; wherein the posts are of tubularconstruction each having a back wall and adjacent sidewalls, the sidewalls having a series of slots spaced along their length, the firstchannel member having a tongue projecting from each end slidably fittedin a slot at a selected level in a sidewall of the corresponding post,fastener means fixing each tongue to the backwall of the related post,and the second channel member having a tongue at each end similarlyreceived and fixed in a slot at a corresponding level in a sidewall ofthe corresponding post.
 2. File apparatus comprising a rectangular paneldefining a horizontal cover for the apparatus; legs supporting the coverin an elevated plane; a pair of horizontal tracks suspended in parallelspaced relation to each other from the panel; each track being definedby an outer sidewall depending from the panel, a relatively narrowbottom wall extending inwardly from the sidewall, and a lip extendingupwardly from the bottom wall in parallel spaced relation to thesidewall; a tubular rack square in cross section extending transverselyand at a distance below the tracks; a pair of parallel uprights; eachupright being mounted atop an opposite end area of the rack and carryinga roller at its upper end engaged in a separate one of the tracks; therollers being rollable along the tracks so as to carry the rack insuspended relation with them to selectable positions; the tracks beingopen at corresponding ends through which open ends the rollers areexitable from the tracks; the panel being spaced above the lip portionsof the tracks a distance greater than the diameter of the rollers so asto enable the rollers to be raised clear of the lip portions and free ofthe tracks; the rack having a longitudinal slot extending lengthwise ofa bottom wall thereof; a T-member having a crosspiece slidably receivedin the rack through an open end thereof and having a plate dependingloosely through the slot adapted for supporting work data; and thetracks being adapted to carry a plurality of such racks.
 3. Fileapparatus as in claim 2, characterized in that a top wall of the rackprojects at opposite ends beyond the sidewalls of the tracks, to atleast one end of which top wall an identification support is detachablymounted, the support being movable with the rack as a unit.
 4. Fileapparatus as in claim 3, characterized in that the support is a cliphaving an external visible surface adapted for carrying data identifyingthe associated rack.
 5. File apparatus as in claim 3, characterized inthat the rack is open at opposite ends, the bottom wall and sidewalls ofthe rack extend beyond opposite ends of the top wall of the rack so asto define a well adjacent each open end of the rack, the extended bottomwall of each well serving as a support upon which the crosspiece of theT-member may be rested preparatory to entering the T-member into therack through a selected open end thereof, and the extended side wallsserving as a guide to such entry.
 6. A rolling rack for supporting datamaterial, comprising a tubular member of square cross section having atleast one open end and having a slot extending centrally and lengthwiseof a bottom wall thereof, roller means supported at opposite end areasof the tubular member in elevated relation to the upper surface of a topwall of the tubular member, the roller means being adapted for rollingengagement in a pair of overhead tracks and for suspending the tubularmember in a horizontal plane from the tracks, a T-bar received in thetubular member having a crosspiece supported upon the interior surfaceof the bottom wall for longitudinal slidable movement in the tubularmember and having a stem plate loosely dependinG through the slotadapted for supporting data material; characterized in that the bottomwall and sidewalls of the tubular member extend beyond its top wall soas to define a well adjacent the open end, the extended bottom wallproviding a support upon which the crosspiece of the T-bar may be restedpreparatory to entering the T-bar into the open end of the tubularmember, and the extended sidewalls serving as a guide to such entry.